Mary Wills assesses officers’ experiences of naval suppression, with particular attention to their emotional commitment to the cause. Examination of their personal testimonies of daily life on the ...
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Mary Wills assesses officers’ experiences of naval suppression, with particular attention to their emotional commitment to the cause. Examination of their personal testimonies of daily life on the West African Squadron illuminates the conditions of service and officers’ understanding of their role on the West African coast. Typical responses include boredom, frustration and despondency, but also determination and dedication to duty. The chapter explores the motivations for service, including the financial gain offered by prize monies, and belief (or not) in the virtues of the antislavery cause. It also looks at the often fraught relations on board captured prize vessels en route to Admiralty courts, and officers’ attitudes toward and treatment of enslaved Africans in their care.Less

Mary Wills

Published in print: 2015-09-01

Mary Wills assesses officers’ experiences of naval suppression, with particular attention to their emotional commitment to the cause. Examination of their personal testimonies of daily life on the West African Squadron illuminates the conditions of service and officers’ understanding of their role on the West African coast. Typical responses include boredom, frustration and despondency, but also determination and dedication to duty. The chapter explores the motivations for service, including the financial gain offered by prize monies, and belief (or not) in the virtues of the antislavery cause. It also looks at the often fraught relations on board captured prize vessels en route to Admiralty courts, and officers’ attitudes toward and treatment of enslaved Africans in their care.

This chapter addresses the short- and longer-term effects of the port riots, including the situation faced by black British workers and their families in the inter-war period and the government ...
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This chapter addresses the short- and longer-term effects of the port riots, including the situation faced by black British workers and their families in the inter-war period and the government response to continued high unemployment in the ports, which saw many black Britons reclassified as ‘aliens’ in order to limit their job opportunities. The immediate aftermath of the riots showed many workers from the settlements continue to struggle to find employment. It is shown that the port riots were globally important in Britain. The central government agencies mostly dismissed the complexity of unemployed black and Arab sailors around the ports in Britain. By the end of the inter-war period, there had been an improvement in the employment situation of black and Arab sailors. In general, the riots of 1919 did not bring an end to the violence targeted at black and Arab sailors around Britain's ports.Less

Published in print: 2009-05-01

This chapter addresses the short- and longer-term effects of the port riots, including the situation faced by black British workers and their families in the inter-war period and the government response to continued high unemployment in the ports, which saw many black Britons reclassified as ‘aliens’ in order to limit their job opportunities. The immediate aftermath of the riots showed many workers from the settlements continue to struggle to find employment. It is shown that the port riots were globally important in Britain. The central government agencies mostly dismissed the complexity of unemployed black and Arab sailors around the ports in Britain. By the end of the inter-war period, there had been an improvement in the employment situation of black and Arab sailors. In general, the riots of 1919 did not bring an end to the violence targeted at black and Arab sailors around Britain's ports.

This chapter discusses the Americans in Hong Kong. It begins with a discussion of American navy sailors, who were members of the largest American fleet ever assembled during the time. It then looks ...
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This chapter discusses the Americans in Hong Kong. It begins with a discussion of American navy sailors, who were members of the largest American fleet ever assembled during the time. It then looks at the different American businesses in Hong Kong, which ranged from merchant houses to smaller-scale businesses.Less

The Americans

Patricia Lim

Published in print: 2011-01-01

This chapter discusses the Americans in Hong Kong. It begins with a discussion of American navy sailors, who were members of the largest American fleet ever assembled during the time. It then looks at the different American businesses in Hong Kong, which ranged from merchant houses to smaller-scale businesses.

This chapter examines the arrival of foreign ships in the Pacific Islands, with particular emphasis on the relationships between foreign sailors and the local maritime communities. It first considers ...
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This chapter examines the arrival of foreign ships in the Pacific Islands, with particular emphasis on the relationships between foreign sailors and the local maritime communities. It first considers the perceptions and behavior of seafaring Pacific islanders and European mariners during their first contacts, as well as the role of European naval officers in the maintenance of law and order in the sea. It then discusses the arrival of Captain Samuel Wallis in the islands, followed by Captain James Cook and his sailors, along with scientists and artists who were part of the first exploration ships. It also assesses the social and economic effects of the first foreign arrivals on the Pacific and its people.Less

The Arrival of Foreign Ships

Alastair Couper

Published in print: 2008-12-09

This chapter examines the arrival of foreign ships in the Pacific Islands, with particular emphasis on the relationships between foreign sailors and the local maritime communities. It first considers the perceptions and behavior of seafaring Pacific islanders and European mariners during their first contacts, as well as the role of European naval officers in the maintenance of law and order in the sea. It then discusses the arrival of Captain Samuel Wallis in the islands, followed by Captain James Cook and his sailors, along with scientists and artists who were part of the first exploration ships. It also assesses the social and economic effects of the first foreign arrivals on the Pacific and its people.

This chapter sketches a profile of the Amsterdam prostitutes, and of their main clients, the sailors. Statistics and data from the judicial records enable to construct a collective biography of the ...
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This chapter sketches a profile of the Amsterdam prostitutes, and of their main clients, the sailors. Statistics and data from the judicial records enable to construct a collective biography of the arrested prostitutes; the majority (75 %) of whom were immigrants, from Dutch and German cities, single, and by trade textile workers or seamstresses. In comparison, Amsterdam brides were mostly native girls and if immigrants, maidservants from the countryside. Seafaring was extremely important for Dutch society, especially for the lower classes. Recruitment for the Dutch East India Company (VOC) among lower class men caused a large surplus of women, many of them poor immigrants with little prospect of marriage. VOC sailors not only were prominent clients of prostitutes, but they often came from the same backgrounds and regions.Less

‘Birds of a Feather Flock Together’: Prostitutes, Clients, and Seafaring

Lotte van de Pol

Published in print: 2011-03-17

This chapter sketches a profile of the Amsterdam prostitutes, and of their main clients, the sailors. Statistics and data from the judicial records enable to construct a collective biography of the arrested prostitutes; the majority (75 %) of whom were immigrants, from Dutch and German cities, single, and by trade textile workers or seamstresses. In comparison, Amsterdam brides were mostly native girls and if immigrants, maidservants from the countryside. Seafaring was extremely important for Dutch society, especially for the lower classes. Recruitment for the Dutch East India Company (VOC) among lower class men caused a large surplus of women, many of them poor immigrants with little prospect of marriage. VOC sailors not only were prominent clients of prostitutes, but they often came from the same backgrounds and regions.

This chapter examines the history of the emergence of the social worker in Liverpool. It explains that the First World War brought mass deprivation and acceptance of state intervention and the ...
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This chapter examines the history of the emergence of the social worker in Liverpool. It explains that the First World War brought mass deprivation and acceptance of state intervention and the raising of standards of service. It discusses the contribution of the Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA) and the local War Pensions Committee in providing welfare assistance to the needy. This chapter also considers the dilemma of how to combine an individual's right to social responsibility with the practice of a statutory system of welfare.Less

Birth of the Social Worker

Published in print: 1996-02-01

This chapter examines the history of the emergence of the social worker in Liverpool. It explains that the First World War brought mass deprivation and acceptance of state intervention and the raising of standards of service. It discusses the contribution of the Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA) and the local War Pensions Committee in providing welfare assistance to the needy. This chapter also considers the dilemma of how to combine an individual's right to social responsibility with the practice of a statutory system of welfare.

The riots that broke out in various British port cities in 1919 were a dramatic manifestation of a wave of global unrest that affected Britain, parts of its empire, continental Europe and North ...
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The riots that broke out in various British port cities in 1919 were a dramatic manifestation of a wave of global unrest that affected Britain, parts of its empire, continental Europe and North America during and in the wake of the First World War. During the riots, crowds of white working-class people targeted black workers, their families, and black-owned businesses and property. One of the chief sources of violent confrontation in the run-down port areas was the ‘colour’ bar implemented by the sailors' trades unions campaigning to keep black, Arab and Asian sailors off British ships in a time of increasing job competition. The book sets out the economic and social causes of the riots and their impact on Britain's relationship with its empire and its colonial subjects. The riots are also considered within the wider context of rioting elsewhere on the fringes of the Atlantic world as black people came in increased numbers into urban and metropolitan settings where they competed with working-class white people for jobs and housing during and after the First World War. The book details the events of the port riots in Britain, with chapters devoted to assessing the motivations and make-up of the rioting crowds, examining police procedures during the riots, considering the court cases that followed, and looking at the longer-term consequences for black British workers and their families. It examines the violent racist conflict that emerged after the First World War and the shockwaves which reverberated around the Empire.Less

Black 1919 : Riots, Racism and Resistance in Imperial Britain

Jacqueline Jenkinson

Published in print: 2009-05-01

The riots that broke out in various British port cities in 1919 were a dramatic manifestation of a wave of global unrest that affected Britain, parts of its empire, continental Europe and North America during and in the wake of the First World War. During the riots, crowds of white working-class people targeted black workers, their families, and black-owned businesses and property. One of the chief sources of violent confrontation in the run-down port areas was the ‘colour’ bar implemented by the sailors' trades unions campaigning to keep black, Arab and Asian sailors off British ships in a time of increasing job competition. The book sets out the economic and social causes of the riots and their impact on Britain's relationship with its empire and its colonial subjects. The riots are also considered within the wider context of rioting elsewhere on the fringes of the Atlantic world as black people came in increased numbers into urban and metropolitan settings where they competed with working-class white people for jobs and housing during and after the First World War. The book details the events of the port riots in Britain, with chapters devoted to assessing the motivations and make-up of the rioting crowds, examining police procedures during the riots, considering the court cases that followed, and looking at the longer-term consequences for black British workers and their families. It examines the violent racist conflict that emerged after the First World War and the shockwaves which reverberated around the Empire.

This chapter talks about the Black Loyalists. The increase in the employment of black sailors meant that those surviving the validities of the voyage would often set down in Britain's ports. Black ...
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This chapter talks about the Black Loyalists. The increase in the employment of black sailors meant that those surviving the validities of the voyage would often set down in Britain's ports. Black mariners residing in England after 1772 gained from the case of James Somerset who was a fugitive black slave. After the Somerset decision, seamen of African descent benefitted in serving in the Royal Navy since they were frequently viewed as ‘prize negroes’. Fugitive African American mariners in England recieved small compensation from the Loyalist Claims Commission. The chapter looks at the growth of sailortown districts in Britain's major ports. Any toleration of minority seafarers was established on the perception of their transience. This toleration came about under pressure when seamen of African descent or from any of those ‘darker races’ strove to become part of a new maritime working class.Less

Blighty

Published in print: 2012-06-01

This chapter talks about the Black Loyalists. The increase in the employment of black sailors meant that those surviving the validities of the voyage would often set down in Britain's ports. Black mariners residing in England after 1772 gained from the case of James Somerset who was a fugitive black slave. After the Somerset decision, seamen of African descent benefitted in serving in the Royal Navy since they were frequently viewed as ‘prize negroes’. Fugitive African American mariners in England recieved small compensation from the Loyalist Claims Commission. The chapter looks at the growth of sailortown districts in Britain's major ports. Any toleration of minority seafarers was established on the perception of their transience. This toleration came about under pressure when seamen of African descent or from any of those ‘darker races’ strove to become part of a new maritime working class.

This chapter examines the violent legacies that emerged in the Middle Passage by documenting open battles and the counter-resistive measures that sailors used against bondpeople. Focusing on the ...
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This chapter examines the violent legacies that emerged in the Middle Passage by documenting open battles and the counter-resistive measures that sailors used against bondpeople. Focusing on the violent interiority of slavery at sea, it reveals the psychological torment, spillage of blood, and multitude of deaths that occurred as sailors forcibly transported bondpeople out of coastal West Africa into distant corners of the Atlantic. It shows that drastically hostile ship behaviors manifested not only through physical combat but also through poisoning, sexual terror, abortion, and the murders of enslaved infants. Due to the constant threat of warfare and bloodshed internal within slave ships, the Middle Passage resembled something like a war zone with “mobile battlefields.” Bondpeople regularly resorted to violence as a means to obtain their freedom.Less

Blood Memories

Sowande' M. Mustakeem

Published in print: 2016-09-23

This chapter examines the violent legacies that emerged in the Middle Passage by documenting open battles and the counter-resistive measures that sailors used against bondpeople. Focusing on the violent interiority of slavery at sea, it reveals the psychological torment, spillage of blood, and multitude of deaths that occurred as sailors forcibly transported bondpeople out of coastal West Africa into distant corners of the Atlantic. It shows that drastically hostile ship behaviors manifested not only through physical combat but also through poisoning, sexual terror, abortion, and the murders of enslaved infants. Due to the constant threat of warfare and bloodshed internal within slave ships, the Middle Passage resembled something like a war zone with “mobile battlefields.” Bondpeople regularly resorted to violence as a means to obtain their freedom.

Extraordinary mortality rates in the West African Squadron ensured that physical wellbeing was foremost among the concerns of those to whom the task of implementing naval suppression fell. Combining ...
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Extraordinary mortality rates in the West African Squadron ensured that physical wellbeing was foremost among the concerns of those to whom the task of implementing naval suppression fell. Combining statistical analysis of some 1900 individual cases extracted from daily sick lists with qualitative interpretation of naval surgeons’ logs, John Rankin’s chapter investigates medical practices in the West African Squadron. His research explores the provision of medical care in naval ships; attitudes of surgeons toward white and black sailors and slaves/liberated Africans; medical and other responses to liberated Africans’ mental distress; discipline and reprimand as safeguards against disease; activities of sailors on shore leave; the ‘White Man’s Grave’ as image and lived reality; Africans’ accommodation of, resistance to, and influence upon the practice of naval medicine.Less

British and African health in the anti-slave-trade squadron

John Rankin

Published in print: 2015-09-01

Extraordinary mortality rates in the West African Squadron ensured that physical wellbeing was foremost among the concerns of those to whom the task of implementing naval suppression fell. Combining statistical analysis of some 1900 individual cases extracted from daily sick lists with qualitative interpretation of naval surgeons’ logs, John Rankin’s chapter investigates medical practices in the West African Squadron. His research explores the provision of medical care in naval ships; attitudes of surgeons toward white and black sailors and slaves/liberated Africans; medical and other responses to liberated Africans’ mental distress; discipline and reprimand as safeguards against disease; activities of sailors on shore leave; the ‘White Man’s Grave’ as image and lived reality; Africans’ accommodation of, resistance to, and influence upon the practice of naval medicine.